Metro Tunnel, West Gate Tunnel borer naming competition launched

A COMPETITION to name the six tunnel-boring machines that will dig the Metro Tunnel and West Gate Tunnel is being launched, with centuries-old tradition dictating that works can’t start until the machines are given a female name.

VICTORIANS have been asked to name the six tunnel-boring machines to be used under Melbourne in two of the state’s biggest infrastructure projects.

The state government will on Sunday launch a competition to name the massive devices that will get to work on the Metro Tunnel and West Gate Tunnel.

A centuries-old tradition dictates that significant tunnelling work cannot begin until the machines are given a female name, dating back to when miners prayed to Saint Barbara for protection.

WEST GATE TUNNEL A BOOST FOR TRADERS

CONSTRUCTION UNDERWAY ON METRO TUNNEL STATIONS

METRO TUNNEL TRAIN STATION DESIGNS REVEALED

Judges are calling on the public to make suggestions recognising groundbreaking women and will favour those who have made a major impact on the history of Victoria.

The winners will also be given the chance to visit a work site and watch as their machine is constructed.

Engineers on the West Gate Tunnel will construct the biggest tunnel boring machine ever used in the Southern Hemisphere, measuring as long as three E-class trams and as tall as the dome of Flinders Street Station.

An artist’s impression of the Metro Tunnel under the Yarra River.

All six machines will together dig up 25km of tunnel as they bore through rock and soil 40m below Melbourne.

“This competition gives the public a unique opportunity to learn more about the monumental engineering feat we are undertaking to build the massive public transport and road projects Victoria desperately needs,” Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said.

“Just like the tunnel boring machines will break through ground to create city changing infrastructure, we’re looking for groundbreaking women that changed our state.”

Roads Minister Luke Donnellan said the rollout of the machines would help build the signature infrastructure projects as quickly as possible.

“These machines are massive — if you had to park them all in one place you’d need a space bigger than the playing surface at the MCG,” he said.

Submissions can be made online at the Big Build, Metro Tunnel or West Gate Tunnel websites until October 7.

[e-mail]

@KieranRooneyCM